#1 Drew Brees

Total Earnings: $49.4 million
On Field: $44.4 million, Off Field: $5 million

After making $7.4 million in salary during the 2011 season, Brees signed a 5-year, $100 million contract in July that included a $37 million signing bonus. His $20 million-a-year average salary is the highest in the history of the NFL. The 6-time Pro Bowler set the record for most passing yards in a season last year with 5,476. Brees earned $962,678 through group licensing deals and appearances arranged by the player’s union, which was tops among NFL players.